Published: September 04, 2008 11:45 pm         

Young Republicans cheer nomination

TERRE HAUTE — As Sen. John S. McCain accepted the GOP nomination for president on Thursday evening, about a dozen young Republicans cheered their approval from downtown Terre Haute.

And for Terre Haute North Vigo High School junior Ross Harpole, the McCain nominating speech was icing on a great double-layered cake.

“I’m really excited about [Alaskan Gov. Sarah] Palin,” Harpole, 16, said, noting her “overall conservative values” match his on topics ranging from abortion to lowered taxes.

Harpole and about a dozen other young Republicans watched the party’s final convention night speech by McCain at the law offices of Vigo County Prosecutor Terry Modesitt at 321 Ohio St.

Meanwhile on the speaker phone, local delegate to the convention Randy Gentry gave his account live from Minnesota.

“It’s really rocking right now,” Gentry said just minutes before McCain made his entrance to the stage.

Gentry described his trip to the convention as “quite an amazing experience,” comparing it to the “Super Bowl, World Series and NBA Finals all wrapped into one.”

Vigo County Republican Chairman Bill Treadway said afterwards that McCain’s speech “really helped show the difference between [Democratic candidate] Senator Obama and Senator McCain.”

While Obama talks about change, Treadway said McCain has lived it.

“I think it’s an outstanding speech,” he said.

Twice during McCain’s speech, protesters interrupted the proceedings, much to the displeasure of the viewers in Modesitt’s office, but overall, they said their candidate is the one with more proven experience and values closer to their own.

Harpole said that while he cannot vote in this year’s election because of his age, he is still concerned about issues such as health care and lowered taxes, describing his support for expanded business growth and people keeping more of their income.

“You can tell he’s a Reaganite,” Treadway said proudly.

Brian Boyce can be reached at (812) 231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.